A principled Adrian Vassallo
Adrian Vassallo is not simply a Labour MP with a difference. He is a man of definite principle. That feature has permeated his actions and statements, not just recently when he reiterated he would not be contesting the next general election, but also over the long uneasy months that have led to that statement.
He is a man of principle in the first instance to himself. When he stood for election with the Labour Party he knew what kind of line he was signing to.
But he did that without forfeiting his own line. In a party which is at a minimum liberal, he styles himself as a conservative. That was not and should never have become a make or break position.
Political parties are not homogenous like some particular type of ice cream. The Labour Party is far less of a coalition than the Nationalist Party has developed into being. Yet it has always contained in its ranks members, candidates and MPs who did not see eye to eye on everything.
It is, in fact, impossible to do so.
Unless there is recognition of this simple fact, natural differences can lead to rapture, to breakaways and even splits, as has happened in the past.
In Dr Vassallo’s case, I am not aware that he is the stuff of which splits are made. He analysed his position in terms of the self, and took his decision accordingly.
What accentuated his area of differences has been described by the Labour leader as a misunderstanding. Dr Vassallo was adamantly against divorce.
He did not see the Bill enabling it as I, for one, saw it – essentially a legal provision that allowed choice without imposing anything.
As was his right, he was a conscientious objector. He voted against and somehow that elicited the comment that his action would have repercussions. As a matter of fact that was a natural reaction – every action causes a reaction.
I would not think that Dr Muscat is the type to make threats.
More consequential, to my mind, were two other factors – one a state of affairs, the other human relations.
The state of the Labour Party’s affairs is that its new leader shifted it onto a platform of what he terms a movement of moderns and progressives. I wouldn’t say that is a radically new platform.
Since its birth the Labour Party was ahead of its Malta time. But the metaphor is new and succinctly describes Labour according to Dr Muscat’s young image, as well as reflecting current metaphors abroad.
That state of affairs was accompanied by something more personal. Dr Vassallo feels that his Labour colleagues sidelined him, barely speaking to him. If that happened, it was wrong. Isolation is never the best means of reaching out to anyone.
Again, I shouldn’t think that was done on a broad scale. But Adrian feels it was done enough to give him the feeling that, apart from being different – a conservative among progressives – he had become a pariah, an outcast.
That is where his principles came in. He would not bend or change them according to the winds of circumstance. He is what he is and he concluded that what he is and will determinedly remain makes him unsuitable to go into another election with the Labour Party.
I see him as principled, however, in more than just that. Though he will not seek re-election he has not withdrawn his parliamentary support to the Labour opposition.
He was elected on the Labour Party programme and he continues to support it in the House of Representatives.
In his position, that is not an easy thing to do. But he does it. And rightly so.
He is a popular family doctor and thereby no doubt attracted personal votes, which helped him get elected.
Yet the bulk of his votes, as with any other candidate in whichever party, come to him on the strength of the party ticket.
An MP who disagrees strongly enough with his party is obliged, according to this principle, to give it back his seat by resigning.
Being an MP – a representative of the people – is not simply a personal affair.
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Andy Farrugia
May 14th 2012, 22:44
New metaphor! "A movement of moderns ( I take it you mean MODERATES) and progressives". New metaphor? That's funny! I thought it was Walter Veltroni who coined the term as a way of combating Berlusconismo, and that's even before Prodi came into the scene. Tut, tut, seems as if this particular columnist is losing it or else trying to fudge as is his wont.
Anthony Schembri adami
May 14th 2012, 17:51
Please note that Malta is or rather should be a parliamentary democracy not a partitocracy.
Carmel Camilleri
May 14th 2012, 16:25
Yes Dr Vassallo is a man of principle and did not transformed himself into a renegade as other MPs on the Nationalist's side. One can admire him for continuing to support his party with no threats and insults to his leader.
Alf Ellul
May 14th 2012, 16:02
Very good article especially the last part. Franco Debono please note
Alf Ellul
Joseph Calleja
May 14th 2012, 13:08
" Being an MP – a representative of the people – is not simply a personal affair." So why do a lot of MPs see it that way? I hate to say this, but I think for most MPs, it is a very personal affair. Very personal at best. By the way how did the REQUISITION OF PRIVATE PROPERTIES ( caps intended) or destroying private properties and infringing and threatening private lives by the MLP put the Labour Party ahead of its Malta time? L-ixkubetta fija il-grillu u kulhadd jghamel u jghid kif jghaqbillu. A man makes his own bed and he has to lie in it. Anybody that wanted to authorize the police to be able to come into my private bedroom to make sure no hanky panky is going on is no friend of mine. Those are third world tactics.
Pat Hobson
May 14th 2012, 15:27
@Joseph Calleja. I've been hearing from you a lot about requisitions. Don't you know the requisition of properties have been going since 1940's? Why mention only the requisitioning of your property? It happened under all administrations, being PN or MLP! If it was unjustified take it to the courts! It has become nauseating hearing the same thing from you.
J. Mifsud
May 14th 2012, 17:14
Pray who wanted to send the police into your bedroom. MLP was ahead of its Malta times when it gave women and 18 year olds the right to vote, when it introduced the social state, the 2/3rd pension, free health for all, free education, 40 hour week, children's allowance and many more. Even the introduction of the summer time was an ordeal for Malta, just because our conservative opposition could not cope with it.
Joseph Calleja
May 15th 2012, 15:55
Pat Hobson,get used to it because I will be nauseating you till I get my property back. I am speaking for myself and I cannot speak for anybody else. By the way, the government did not employ a lawyer to requisition my father's property, they just took it. Explain to me why I should take it to the courts, the Government did not. By the way I would fight for my property if it was confiscated by the PN or anybody else. Glad you are paying attention, now if only the Government would? Maybe you can put in a good word for me.
alfred camilleri
May 14th 2012, 13:08
Mr Privitera, So according to you anyone who sticks to his principle is a "gross fundamentalist". So, on the other hand anyone who changes or modifies his "principles" according to circumstances could be called an opportunist!
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 16:39
Alfred Camilleri, for the simple reason stated by Lino Spiteri at the end of his article ! Read Lino's article once again.
Norman E Grech
May 14th 2012, 11:04
I totally conquer with Mr Spiteri's contribution!
It is a pity that it had to come to this as I am sure Adrian Vassallo contributed to the party in many ways in the past. Unfortunately his way of thinking is stuck to the 60's. The power is of the people, and if the majority wants the divorce option in Malta, so be it! Although Joseph Muscat made it very clear that he would give a free vote to the labour MP's I still expected Dr Vassallo to reflect the people's will. On the same lines, I totally disagree that after throwing the ball to the people, the Prime Minister himself voted against!
I know a lot of Nationalist people who won't forget or excuse this fact!
Francis Sammut
May 14th 2012, 12:31
I guess you mean to say concur?
Norman E Grech
May 14th 2012, 12:41
Yepp 'concur' my mistake!
Michael Seychell
May 14th 2012, 14:50
Mr. Norman E Grech - How biased and unfair a person can be. You ended your comment by stating "I totally disagree that after throwing the ball to the people, the Prime Minister himself voted against!"
You must keep in mind that Dr. Gonzi made a solemn statement that once the people opted yes for divorce,
He, as Prime Minister would see to it that the Divorce Bill will obtain the necessary majority to become a Law - as indeed happened.
On a similar issue when the people voted in a referendum for Malta to join Europe, Dr. Sant Opposition Leader first claimed that the No vote had one - albeit that he himself did not vote against joining the E.U., and then himself and All opposition members voted against in parliament despite the peoples' decision.
It is evident that you still blame Dr Gonzi for voting according to his conscience, but you agree or rather insist that Dr Sant and All opposition members voted against the will of the people.
In my opinion your sense of justice is totally biased
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 17:33
Remember what Adrian Vassallo himself said, that he has not been attending Labour's parliamentary group meetings since Dr. Sant's time as leader ! So the divorce issue is not the real reason at all ! This is why I say that the sidelining was started by Dr. vassallo !
Norman E Grech
May 15th 2012, 12:39
@ Michael Sychell
Still, I know a lot of Nationalist people who won't forget or excuse this fact!
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 09:29
A lot of what Mr. spiteri said is true. Whre i may disagree is where he wrote that if Dr. vassallo was sidelined, that was bad. In my view, if Dr. Vassallo was being sidelined because HE has been sidelining all his parliamentary colleagues, by not attending the weekly meetings of the parliamentary group, and not attending parliament except to vote, than Dr. vassallo must also shoulder responsibility for his being sidelined !
David Philip Farrugia
May 14th 2012, 10:41
it's up to the leader and his entourage to rope everyone in. Being in opposition where there's no means testing on the leaders performance, it should have been quite an easy job. Alas it isn't so and that's why many labourites who will still vote labour next time round will do so unconvincingly.
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 11:08
How could anyone convince Adran Vassallo with his grossly fundamentalist views ? It is much easier said than done !
Giov DeMartino
May 14th 2012, 11:27
Since you agree with a lot of what Mr Spiteri said, do you think that Franco Debono should have resigned a long time ago? Normally you never answer my questions, but I never give up!
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 11:45
Giovann, you must have forgotten that I had written a letter specifically saying that in parliament he was elected on the PN ticket. And once voters voted for him because he was also representing the PN and not just the constituents, he should have rsigned ! But once he was adamant to continue on his rocking the government's boat, then Dr. Gonzi should not allow the instability to continue by calling an election !
Norman E Grech
May 14th 2012, 11:47
@ Giov De Martino.
I can give you MY answer if you like!
Although I admire Franco Debono and agree with most of the things he is saying, and acknowledge that he has introduced a different way for MP's to operate, yes I think, if he so much disagrees with his PM and with some of the ministers, he should resign! That is obviously my personal opinion. In any case, if he decides to present his candidacy, he better believe that he has no chance of ever seeing the parliamentary seat again!
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 11:47
By the way, if I were to remind you of the numerous questions I asked you which you conveniently ignored, I would take a lot of space and a lot of time of readers !
Eddy Privitera
May 14th 2012, 11:49
A word too about Franco Debono. He should either decide to vote YES to back GonziPN ALWAYS. Or vote NO ALWAYS ! No sitting on the fence any longer !!!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
May 14th 2012, 12:57
I do not agree that Franco Debono should resign. His objections are not on any principles of the NP but against the way the PM (and those around him) operates. If FD does not agree with any of the government;s policies, then yes he should resign. But his objections regard the way things are done - or rather not done - by the PN government. There is a difference and I agree that he should stay on to make sure things do happen and not remain on the shelf.
Giov DeMartino
May 14th 2012, 15:09
Mr Grech I agree with you perfectly.
Eddy: Sorry I missed the letter you mentioned. But sorry again, it is YOU who never answers one single question. I do not keep any records of my comments, but I think the last one about the casino workers, the armed soldiers guarding the complex and the invitation to go to S. Rita is a case in point.
Mr Michael Debono
May 17th 2012, 11:08
If we remember well during the election for party leader Dr. A Vassallo was always seen backing Dr. George Abela and not even once was present during Dr. J.Muscat meeting or conference. Does this mean something about the feelings of Dr. A. Vassallo and Dr. J. Muscat before even being elected leader and the kind Doctor kept a grudge against Dr. J Muscat?
Please choose the reason of your report below: